I am sure we have all been following the tough negotiations and the daring ships finally bringing grain out of Ukraine, past sea mines and past strict controls and inspections in Istanbul.
Like probably most of you, I have been looking at the pictures of the ships that are now making this perilous voyage. Just a few of them are listed here :
Razoni
Polarnet
Navi-Star
Rojen
Fulmar S
Glory
Riva Wind
Star Helena
Mustafa Necati
There is a good video of the departure of the very first ship, Razoni, here :
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna41890RTÉ, the Irish broadcaster, had a fascinating interview with a representative of the owner of the cargo on Navi-Star, bound for Ireland as cattle feed. He told listeners that Navi-Star had arrived in Odessa the very day that Russia invaded Ukraine, and that the ship and the crew had been waiting all this time to be able to leave again...
I am fascinated by the looks of these ships. Here is Razoni :
https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/RAZONI-IMO-9086526-MMSI-667001963It seems to have a lengthy array of cranes, one behind the other.
https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/NAVI-STAR-IMO-9590979-MMSI-354180000And this is Navi-Star, which I am glad to see had arrived in Ringaskiddy (Ireland).
Could someone explain how these ships work? Are these cranes, and if so, what do they do?